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AnatomyThoraxHeartPectinate muscles
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AnatomyThoraxHeartPectinate muscles

Pectinate muscles

Author: Danijel Tosovic, PhD • Reviewer: Dimitrios Mytilinaios, MD, PhD
Last reviewed: March 14, 2024
Reading time: 1 minute

Recommended video: Right atrium [02:17]
Definition, function and anatomy of the right atrium.
Pectinate muscles
Musculi pectinati
1/2
Synonyms: Trabeculae carneae

Pectinate muscles are the muscular ridges found in the walls of the atria of the heart that give them a trabeculated internal appearance. Pectinate muscles differ to the muscular ridges seen in the walls of the ventricles, termed trabeculae carneae.

Within the right atrium, the anterior wall is composed of pectinate muscles that originate from the crista terminalis, which then also extend into the right auricle. The most prominent of the pectinate muscles originates from the crista terminalis and is termed the taenia sagittalis. Within the left atrium the pectinate muscles are located only within the left auricle and are typically smaller and fewer than in the right atrium.

Terminology English: Pectinate muscles
Latin: Musculi pectinati
Definition Muscular ridges in the walls of the atria/auricles

Learn more about the internal features of the heart with these study units:

Right atrium and ventricle Explore study unit
Left atrium and ventricle Explore study unit

Sources

All content published on Kenhub is reviewed by medical and anatomy experts. The information we provide is grounded on academic literature and peer-reviewed research. Kenhub does not provide medical advice. You can learn more about our content creation and review standards by reading our content quality guidelines.
  • Moore, K. L., Dalley, A. F., & Agur, A. M. R. (2014). Clinically Oriented Anatomy (7th ed.). Philadelphia, PA: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.
  • Standring, S. (2016). Gray's Anatomy (41st ed.). Edinburgh: Elsevier Churchill Livingstone.

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